An abscess occurs as a result of the body’s immune system trying to fight off and localize an infection to a small area so that it does not spread to the rest of the body. People with Parkinson’s disease, and especially those who are suffering from the end stages of Parkinson’s disease, are more prone to infections. It is easy for a small infection to flare up or a tiny abscess to reach dangerous proportions because the ability of the body to fight infections is greatly reduced.

A skin abscess (boil) is the most common form of abscess that is encountered, but abscesses may also occur in the internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys, appendix, brain or lungs. Tooth abscesses are fairly common and so are abscesses of the tonsils or its surrounding tissues.

Cause of Abscess Formation

Infection is the most common cause of abscess formation. The white blood cells attack the invading organisms and try to localize the infection and thus an abscess is formed, with pus as its focal point. The most common invading organisms are Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus, which may enter through a break in the skin or a hair follicle. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a type of staphylococcus bacteria which is resistant to the penicillin group of drugs and has been found to be increasingly involved in producing abscesses of the skin and deeper tissues.

Abscesses in the internal organs may occur due to infections already present in some organ and as a result of spread through the blood or lymphatic system.

Apart from infection, a foreign body such as a piece of glass or a thorn may also be the cause of an abscess.

Pilonidal abscess (which occurs in the crease of the buttocks) may be an example of a type of abscess which may occur easily in a Parkinson’s disease patient because of restricted movements while sitting and lying down, often for prolonged periods.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms will vary according to the site of the abscess but the common signs and symptoms may be an inflamed, red mass of variable size, painful to the touch and occasionally with a point which may be draining pus. A throbbing toothache is usually felt in case of a tooth or gum abscess. An abscess may be accompanied by fever, headache, abdominal pain and tenderness or other toxic symptoms, especially if it involves an internal organ.

Prevention and Treatment

Parkinson’s disease patients should be vigilant in  maintaining good personal hygiene and bring even minor cuts and injuries or a small boil to the attention of their doctor.

A hot compress applied over a small abscess may help but in no circumstances should the abscess be pressed upon too hard or a pin or needle inserted in an attempt to drain it at home.

Incision and drainage by a doctor is the most effective form of treatment for an abscess. Usually, antibiotics have no role unless the abscess has drained. An antibiotic and a pain reliever may be given after draining an abscess but a patient with Parkinson’s disease should not take any medicines without the attending doctor’s advice because of the possibility of drug interactions.